Harriot Pleydell-Bouverie: Mallow & Marsh

Harriot Pleydell-Bouverie, 33
Company: Mallow & Marsh
Web: www.mallowandmarsh.com

Four years after she slayed investors on Dragons’ Den, Harriot Pleydell-Bouverie remains one of Britain’s boldest female entrepreneurs.

Her mission to paint the country pink isn’t quite complete, but she continues to make huge progress with her incredibly tasty marshmallow snacks.

The business, called Mallow & Marsh, launched in 2013 and captured the attention of investors immediately. Harriot appeared on Dragons’ Den a year after launch and promptly rejected the panellists’ offers in favour of going it alone.

Saying ‘I’m out’ to Peter Jones and co was a risky step, but it has turned out rather well. Harriot went out and found investment on her own, and says she has really benefited from the advice offered by her financial backers.

That advice has helped Mallow & Marsh expand nationwide and secure an enviable band of stockists including Sainsbury’s, Starbucks, Boots and BP. It’s a remarkable success story for Harriot, who only started the business after friends bet her £50 she couldn’t make marshmallows at home.

Nowadays Mallow & Marsh is on a mission to show everyone how delicious marshmallow really is. Although the founder is no longer running the business from her kitchen like she did in the early days, the marshmallow is still handmade in the UK, with only natural flavours. The results? The business tripled for two years in a row – and is on track to double in 2018.

And they have huge plans for the future. The founder says she and her team want to grow their UK distribution network, drive brand awareness and keep making the best marshmallow they possibly can. The company will also be launching its export strategy at the beginning of 2019 to build on its UK success.

As the brand’s profile has grown, innovation continues to be the cornerstone of Mallow & Marsh and a key focus for Harriot. Her favourite part of the job is developing new products and she is still regularly whisking up new recipes, either in the factory or in her own kitchen. Outside of Mallow & Marsh Harriot remains true to her big passions – food and entrepreneurship – and dedicates time to helping inspire others set up their own business.

Harriot Pleydell-Bouverie is no stranger to our audience, having featured in the 2015 edition of Startups 100 and shortlisted for our Women in Business Award last year. We look forward to covering her and her amazing treats in the years to come.